Father Robert James A. Rezac, IMC
Ghislaine Crete
Father “Bob” Rezac was born on March 14, 1938 in the small suburb of Maple Heights in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). After completing high school in Cleveland, he went on to study at St. John’s University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy and classical studies in 1959. He continued his studies at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, where he obtained a Master’s in psychology and administration.
In 1971, “Father Bob” entered the Consolata Seminary in Somerest, New Jersey. On August 30, 1975, after completing his novitiate in Buffalo, he took his religious vows. Father Robert Rezac was ordained on June 11, 1977, in Cleveland. One year before his ordination, he had the opportunity to go on a life-changing mission to Kenya. From the time of his ordination through to 1992, his superiors asked that he work on missionary awareness and vocation promotion in Buffalo and in Somerset.
In 1992, Father Bob was asked to go to Kenya, in Maralal, to be more precise. Maralal is situated in northern Kenya, near the Rift Valley. Father Bob worked there for nearly ten years. The people in the area are very poor and missionary work was very difficult. Father Rezac also served as vice-rector of the Seminary of Philosophy. He was later assigned to the Sanctuary of the Consolata in the Westlands, in a suburb of Nairobi. Father Bob openly stated that, when he was asked to return to the United States to pursue his missionary work, a part of him remained in Kenya, a country he loved dearly.
Back in the United States, Father Rezac was asked to take on new challenges. He was appointed Director of Direct Mail for the Consolata Missionaries in North America, and he was also responsible for missionary awareness. After being transferred to Buffalo, he was named regional vice-superior. On October 17, 2011 he was elected by his peers as regional superior of the North America Region.
On December 17, 2011, Father Robert Rezac suffered a heart attack while celebrating the Eucharist. He passed away on December 19 in Erie County Medical Centre in Buffalo from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by the heart attack. Father Rezac leaves behind a loving sister, several nieces, his religious family and his friends. He was 73 years old; 36 of those years he spent in religious service, and 34 in the priesthood. Those who knew him will cherish his memory.
Father Bob, as we most often called him, was both loved and respected. Everyone knew him for his kindness and his desire to do things well. His good humour brought a smile to the faces of many. He was particularly good at listening to others. Discreet and quiet by nature, he was the embodiment of peace and tranquillity. Father Bob was a man of faith, devotion and prayer. His death took us by surprise; we have lost not just a brother, an uncle, a colleague and friend, but also a role model.
Devoted Guidance
Monsignor Ambrogio Ravasi, IMC, who had studied and worked in the United States, kept a regular correspondence with his friend Father Antonio Bellagamba, IMC, who lived in Somerset, New Jersey. One day, prior to his becoming monsignor, Father Ravasi wrote to his friend Bellagamba to ask for help in finding someone who could assist him with the spiritual guidance and training of lay missionaries in Kenya. Since Father Ravasi’s workload was constantly growing, he needed the help of an exceptional individual. Father Rezac, who was a deacon with the Consolata Missionaries in the US, was deemed the ideal candidate. In 1975, Father Bellagamba went to Kenya to attend the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches and took advantage of his visit to finalize the details of Father Ravasi’s project. It was decided that Deacon Robert Rezac would teach at the Nkubu Seminary and that he would work as a spiritual guide for lay missionaries. Back in America, Father Bellagamba and Deacon Rezac met several times to help prepare the latter’s departure for Kenya. Deacon Rezac would spend all of 1976 in Kenya, focusing his efforts on providing spiritual, social, and psychological support to the young people entrusted to him.For those young lay missionaries, it was a year of grace. They held regular meetings, and during those blessed moments, they prayed, conversed, shared their experiences. But mostly, they were happy to be together and feel they belonged to the same family – the family of the Consolata. In addition, Deacon Robert Rezac would meet each of the lay missionaries in the workplace, praying with them, and planning with them meetings and activities. What they learned was how to avoid crises and tears; but above all, they felt the joy of having been blessed with this missionary experience! Father Bellagamba, who was in constant communication with the people responsible in Kenya, wrote to Robert Rezac about the feedback he was receiving on his performance: “They are very happy to have you among them and they respect you greatly. They see your example and your dedication as an inspiration to all. These comments make me happy, and I am proud of you.” When it was announced that Robert Rezac had to return to the US in December, all the young people wrote to thank him and tell him how much his presence among them had made a difference. For his part, Bob wrote: "Yes, these young people deserve to be called lay missionaries. I am proud of their work, their involvement and dedication.”
